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Free Montana Rental Application Form

Prepare a printable, free Montana rental application form to verify potential tenants. Tailor your application to Montana’s statutes now, with all the critical details required by law.

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Last Update May 12th, 2023

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What Is a Montana Residential Rental Application

Landlords use Montana rental applications to screen and assess potential tenants before committing to an official lease. This legal document allows you to safely and confidentially collect this data from the applicant to make an informed decision on if they are the right option for your rental property.  

Rental applications are also sometimes known as:

  • Applications for a rental property

  • Lease applications

  • Rental Lease applications

  • Tenant applications

The rental application document you use must be designed with MT’s statutes in mind. Nevertheless, you can use a rental agreement to collect the following information:

  • The tenant’s rental history

  • Information about their income

  • Details on criminal record and credit history

  • Personal references for the applicant

Montana Rental Applications by Type

You will need to choose the correct type of rental application template depending on the people you are renting to and your property’s designation. There are two options to choose from  in Montana, which can be seen below.

Standard/General Rental Application Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application
Which landlords can use it? Private landlords Landlords with Section 8 housing
What kind of tenants is it designed for? Any Tenants eligible for subsidized housing

Montana Rental Application Sample

Before starting your own Montana rental application, it’s a good idea to look over a sample document first. Use our example rental application below to get a clearer idea of what you should include and how the final form will appear.

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What to Include in a Montana Rental Application Form

Both landlords and tenants need to provide specific information on a Montana rental application. This is so it complies with state laws and allows an informed decision to be made. The details each party should provide can be seen below.

Data the Tenant Can Be Asked for Essential Disclosures from the Landlord
Personal data The property’s condition
Rental history Potential hazards to the tenant
Employment details Shared utility arrangements
Income information Rent control rules
Credit history Smoking policy
Personal references The security deposit
Permission for background checks Associated fees

The information offered by either the landlord or tenant will vary from application to application. However, it is vitally important that both sides get the clearest picture possible about the nature of the lease before signing an agreement.

Montana Rental Application Laws

There are a few laws that must be followed in Montana when you create a rental application for tenants. Failure to comply with these rules could lead to serious legal consequences and allow the tenant to sue. 

Application Fee

You can charge as much as you wish as a rental application fee. There are no laws in Montana providing a set limit, although it is recommended to only charge enough to cover the costs of any background checks. Any amount charged to the tenant is also non-refundable. 

Security Deposit

Montanadoesn’t set any limits on how much you can charge as a security deposit. However, it is recommended not to charge more than 1-2 months rent for this amount (MT Code § 70-25-201). 

Housing Discrimination Law

There are no set laws in Montana that specifically limit housing discrimination. However, all states must adhere to the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA is a federal law that prevents landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their:

  • Race

  • Nationality

  • Religion

  • Sex

  • Familial status

  • Disability

  • Criminal history

Notice of Eligibility

Tenants must be told about any specific screening criteria, as well as the reasons that they could be denied or approved by the landlord. To show that this information has been shared, a signature of acknowledgment from the tenant is required.

Consent Credit Check

Under the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), tenants being screened in Montana must consent to any credit checks you wish to carry out. To make sure you comply with the law, the applicant must provide written acknowledgment of the screening on the application form.

Other Real Estate Documents

There are various other legal documents that landlords must take into account when considering new tenants. Get expert guidance on preparing other personalized property forms with our other free printable templates for the following legal forms: 

Residential Lease Agreement

A Montana Residential Lease Agreement outlines the terms and conditions of a tenancy in a residential rental property. It establishes the rights and duties of both the renter and the landlord.

Eviction Notice

When a tenant is in violation of their lease agreement, a Montana Eviction Notice must be used to inform them of the breach.

FAQs About Montana Rental Application Form

Having a good idea of what you can and cannot use a Montana rental application for is important. In our FAQs below, we explain what is and isn’t allowed when you create your own form.

How to Fill Out a Montana Rental Application

Creating an MT rental application can be easily done with the help of our contract maker and template tools. When you fill out a rental application form, you will usually request the following information from the tenant:

  • Personal data

  • Rental history

  • Employment details

  • Income information

  • Credit history

  • Personal references

  • Permission for background checks

You must also include important legal disclosures on the property and the lease agreement being proposed. This will outline details on the condition of the property, any hazards, and information on aspects such as security deposit and fees. Our template designer will help you add the data that must be added.

Why Do I Need a Montana Rental Application?

A Montana rental application gives you the opportunity to learn more about your tenant before committing to a legal contract with them. The application lets you collect data on your prospective rental resident, so you may carry out important checks to:

  • Review their rental history

  • Verify their employment and income

  • Learn of any criminal history or credit issues

What Cannot Be Asked on Rental Applications in Montana?

You cannot ask tenants a number of questions when you are vetting them with aMontana rental application document. You must not request any of the following information from the applicant during this process:

  • Race or ethnicity 

  • Religion

  • Sexuality

  • Immigration or citizenship status

  • Arrest records

  • Marital or familial status

  • Whether they have children or not

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